Palestinian ambassador should be replaced: Alwi

Palestinian ambassador should be replaced: Alwi

SEOUL (JP): Indonesia will ask that Palestinian Ambassador to
Jakarta Ribbhi Awad be replaced following accusations he botched
a briefing with a Palestinian parliamentary delegation, which led
to it erroneously condemning the Indonesian government for not
supporting the Palestinian cause.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said in
Seoul on Thursday that Awad misinformed the Palestinian
parliamentary delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
conference in Jakarta, which led to the delegation criticizing
President Abdurrahman Wahid.

"We do not want to deport him, but we will ask that Ribhi Awad
be replaced. I will send a letter to (Palestinian leader) Yasser
Arafat," said Alwi, who is in the South Korean capital
accompanying Abdurrahman to a summit of Asian and European
leaders.

The controversy erupted in Jakarta on Wednesday when the head
of the Palestinian delegation, Salem Al-Za'noon, after meeting
with People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, expressed
disappointment with the Indonesian government for failing to
support Palestine during the recent conflict with Israel.

Al-Za'noon further criticized the President's refusal to
withdraw his membership from the Shimon Peres Foundation, which
he claimed helped fund Jewish settlements on Palestinian land.

The criticism came as a surprise because Indonesia has
remained an adamant supporter of the Palestinian cause. Jakarta
also has repeatedly refused to recognize and open diplomatic ties
with Israel.

Alwi blamed on Thursday Ambassador Awad's failure to convey
accurate information on Indonesia's stance on the Middle East
crisis for the Palestinian statement.

The Palestinian ambassador is one of the longest serving
envoys in Jakarta, having been posted in the capital since 1992.

Alwi said the fact that such criticism was launched against
the President was a disgrace, adding that he would seek
clarification from the Palestinian ambassador once he returned to
Jakarta.

"The Palestinian ambassador wants to intervene in Indonesia's
domestic affairs. We cannot accept this," Alwi remarked.

The criticism against Indonesia also appears out of place as
the Indonesian delegation at the IPU conference lobbied for a
draft resolution condemning Israel for the recent Middle East
violence.

Also, Abdurrahman and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad issued a joint statement on Tuesday expressing concern
over the issue.

And in Geneva, the Indonesian delegation to an emergency
session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission issued a
statement demanding the UN body take concrete action to stop the
violation of the rights of the Palestinian people.

In a statement delivered by Ambassador Nugroho Wisnumurti,
Indonesia called for the establishment of an international
commission of inquiry and underlined the need for UN Human Rights
Commissioner Mary Robinson to actively participate in collective
efforts to improve the human rights situation in Palestinian
territory.

In Jakarta on Thursday, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar
Tandjung expressed regret over the Palestinian statement.

"Criticizing the President is not ethical conduct for the
ambassador. He should be given a warning," Akbar remarked.

Akbar warned that a repeat of such behavior could warrant the
ambassador being declared persona non grata.

Nevertheless, Akbar suggested the government consult with the
House before taking such a drastic measure.

Legislator Ferry Tinggogoy echoed Akbar's statement, saying
Awad's criticism of Abdurrahman was unethical.

"Ribbi deserves to be recalled. The President has the right to
be angry with the ambassador," Ferry, from the Indonesian
Military/National Police faction, said. (jun/byg)